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City Living | 02.02.2018

7 Date Ideas Perfect for Urban Adventurers

Candy hearts, horse and carriage rides, and over-priced prix fixe dinners? You can do better than that. This Valentine’s Day, break away from the clichés and plan a date to remember. Whether you’re wooing a new sweetheart or are celebrating another year with your significant other, the best dates will sweep your partner off their feet and give you a chance to explore your city, too. From art outings to axe throwing sessions, here are seven creative, quirky date ideas designed for urbanites on the go.

1. LIVING ROOM CONCERT: After a cozy concert experience to share with your audiophile S.O.? It doesn't get much more intimate than "somebody's living room. Sofar Sounds - which hosts musical performances in dozens of cities around the world -has made its name by transforming quotidian spaces (from stores to apartments) into temporary venues. You and your date can mingle with like-minded attendees, catch multiple sets by up-and-coming musicians, and score front-row seats while you're at it.

Image courtesy of: Jane Jimenez for Sofar Sounds

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2. AXE THROWING: Eros may have gone in for arrows, but this Valentine's Day, make like a lumberjack and give axe throwing a try (just, you know, be sure to aim for the target instead of your beloved). The premise may sound curious, but axe throwing bars have lately popped up in cities from Brooklyn to Chicago. You'll break a sweat, build some muscle, and forge the kind of closeness that can only be borne of wacky shared experiences.

Image courtesy of: Kick Axe Throwing

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3. MUSEUM SCAVENGER HUNT: Google's Arts & Culture app is making waves on the internet lately, thanks to its find-your-artistic-doppelganger feature. But rather than leaving your arty lookalike to an algorithm, make a Valentine's Day challenge of it and head to your local museums for some IRL sleuthing. Whether you set your sights on your city's blockbuster galleries or make for one of its smaller museums, you can combine romance with the thrill of the chase - and a cultural outing, too.

4. SUBWAY ROULETTE: One of our favorite quirky date ideas requires little to no planning - ideal if you like your romance with a dash of spontaneity and a good helping of urban exploration. Meet your date at a given subway station, swipe in, and see where the train takes you. Get off at a stop neither of you has been to in a while, and take yourself on a neighborhood walking tour. Not only will you get acquainted with a different side of your city, but you'll hopefully stumble upon a few favorite new haunts.

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5. A DAY AT THE CIRCUS: This quirky date idea isn't for the faint of heart (or those with a fear of heights). But if you want to sweep your partner off their feet - quite literally - then an acrobatics class is just the ticket. Trapeze School New York will have you feeling like a star of the big top, while the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will teach you the art of suspending yourself upside down using just a piece of fabric. Talk about head over heels (ahem).

Image courtesy of: Trapeze School New York

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6. GO WALK A DOG: Nothing is easier to bond over than an adorable puppy. Don't worry if you can't commit to a full time pup, that's where the nifty service Rover comes in. The platform allows pet owners to pair with local dog lovers, which ensures Fido gets fresh air and exercise, and that you get a cheering dose of canine company. Throw in a romantic neighborhood wander with your other half, and this casual date is set to be a surefire success.

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7. GET COMPETITIVE: Nothing gets hearts aflame like the spirit of competition - which is why a night at your local board game cafe is the perfect quirky date idea. From Vigilante Gaming Bar in Austin to Snakes & Lattes in Toronto, you have your choice of hundreds of games on tap (plus quality snacks, too). Check and mate.

Image courtesy of: Snakes and Lattes

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1. LIVING ROOM CONCERT: After a cozy concert experience to share with your audiophile S.O.? It doesn't get much more intimate than "somebody's living room. Sofar Sounds - which hosts musical performances in dozens of cities around the world -has made its name by transforming quotidian spaces (from stores to apartments) into temporary venues. You and your date can mingle with like-minded attendees, catch multiple sets by up-and-coming musicians, and score front-row seats while you're at it.

Image courtesy of: Jane Jimenez for Sofar Sounds

1 / 8

2. AXE THROWING: Eros may have gone in for arrows, but this Valentine's Day, make like a lumberjack and give axe throwing a try (just, you know, be sure to aim for the target instead of your beloved). The premise may sound curious, but axe throwing bars have lately popped up in cities from Brooklyn to Chicago. You'll break a sweat, build some muscle, and forge the kind of closeness that can only be borne of wacky shared experiences.

Image courtesy of: Kick Axe Throwing

2 / 8

3. MUSEUM SCAVENGER HUNT: Google's Arts & Culture app is making waves on the internet lately, thanks to its find-your-artistic-doppelganger feature. But rather than leaving your arty lookalike to an algorithm, make a Valentine's Day challenge of it and head to your local museums for some IRL sleuthing. Whether you set your sights on your city's blockbuster galleries or make for one of its smaller museums, you can combine romance with the thrill of the chase - and a cultural outing, too.

4. SUBWAY ROULETTE: One of our favorite quirky date ideas requires little to no planning - ideal if you like your romance with a dash of spontaneity and a good helping of urban exploration. Meet your date at a given subway station, swipe in, and see where the train takes you. Get off at a stop neither of you has been to in a while, and take yourself on a neighborhood walking tour. Not only will you get acquainted with a different side of your city, but you'll hopefully stumble upon a few favorite new haunts.

4 / 8

5. A DAY AT THE CIRCUS: This quirky date idea isn't for the faint of heart (or those with a fear of heights). But if you want to sweep your partner off their feet - quite literally - then an acrobatics class is just the ticket. Trapeze School New York will have you feeling like a star of the big top, while the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will teach you the art of suspending yourself upside down using just a piece of fabric. Talk about head over heels (ahem).

Image courtesy of: Trapeze School New York

5 / 8

6. GO WALK A DOG: Nothing is easier to bond over than an adorable puppy. Don't worry if you can't commit to a full time pup, that's where the nifty service Rover comes in. The platform allows pet owners to pair with local dog lovers, which ensures Fido gets fresh air and exercise, and that you get a cheering dose of canine company. Throw in a romantic neighborhood wander with your other half, and this casual date is set to be a surefire success.

6 / 8

7. GET COMPETITIVE: Nothing gets hearts aflame like the spirit of competition - which is why a night at your local board game cafe is the perfect quirky date idea. From Vigilante Gaming Bar in Austin to Snakes & Lattes in Toronto, you have your choice of hundreds of games on tap (plus quality snacks, too). Check and mate.